MILWAUKEE — Many people live their life wanting to leave behind a legacy of some sort. One Milwaukee woman is hoping that legacy is rooted in the importance of education.
Joyce A. Hall has been an impactful figure in the Milwaukee Public Schools system for more than three decades.
For most of her 37 years as an MPS faculty member, Hall dedicated herself to teaching reading. After her retirement in 1994, she continued her mission for more than 20 years, volunteering as a reading tutor.
“Teaching is my passion, so it wasn’t like a job to me,” said Hall. “It was something I enjoyed doing.”
She volunteered as a reading tutor until 2020. Hall is now in her 90s and she’s reflecting on how much of an impact she not only had on students but also how they impacted her too.
“The best part is working with students and seeing them improve in their reading because this makes them happy,” she said.
Hall taught at Henry Palmer School her entire career. It’s now called George Washington Carver Academy.
In 2021, she was honored by the school, when they renamed the school library after her.
Principal of the academy, Kristin Hinds, said there was no one more deserving of this honor than Hall.
“Ms. Hall used to tutor, actually, in this library and then we gave her her own classroom,” said Hinds. “She always had that passion for books and reading so it was the right fit to rename the Carver library for Ms. Joyce Hall.”
Hinds said Hall left a lifelong impact on every student and on the school as a whole. She said it didn’t matter if it was a 4-year-old child or a 15-year-old child, Hall showed them all the same level of love and dedication.
“She was instrumental to education in this community,” said Hinds.
When Hall wasn’t teaching or tutoring, she enjoyed volunteering for her church’s food pantry.
While she can’t do many mobile activities now, there is one thing she has always loved and can still enjoy. That’s a Milwaukee Bucks basketball game.
She’s a big fan of one player in particular.
“Giannis,” said Hall. “Who makes all the points.”
She said she’s thankful for all the time she’s invested in the education system.
“I enjoyed my teaching at MPS and I put a lot of years there,” she said.
Her message to the current and the next generation is to prioritize education.
“That basic foundation is so important,” said Hall.
She said with that educational foundation, and a little bit of discipline, you’ll go more places than you can imagine.